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Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1911| Senate 
| Updated: 10/6/2021
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021 This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana). The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights. Among other activities, the Department of the Interior must negotiate with Montana for the transfer of specified parcels of state land located on and off the reservation, hold transferred land in trust for the benefit of the community, allocate 20,000 acre-feet per year of stored water from Lake Elwell, establish a settlement trust fund, and enter into a cost-share agreement with Montana to contribute to the design and construction of the Peoples Creek Dam and Reservoir to support mitigation activities. The bill requires the Bureau of Reclamation to modify the operating procedures of the Milk River Project to ensure that the Fresno Reservoir is operated in accordance with the agreement. The bill also outlines certain waivers, releases, and retention of claims under the settlement agreement.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3113
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019
May 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate
May 27, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Oct 6, 2021
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-138.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3113
    Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019


  • May 27, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 27, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • October 6, 2021
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-138.

Native Americans

Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationDams and canalsDepartment of the InteriorEconomic developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHistorical and cultural resourcesHunting and fishingIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMissouri RiverMontanaOutdoor recreationState and local government operationsWater qualityWater resources fundingWatershedsWater storageWater use and supply

Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1911| Senate 
| Updated: 10/6/2021
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021 This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana). The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights. Among other activities, the Department of the Interior must negotiate with Montana for the transfer of specified parcels of state land located on and off the reservation, hold transferred land in trust for the benefit of the community, allocate 20,000 acre-feet per year of stored water from Lake Elwell, establish a settlement trust fund, and enter into a cost-share agreement with Montana to contribute to the design and construction of the Peoples Creek Dam and Reservoir to support mitigation activities. The bill requires the Bureau of Reclamation to modify the operating procedures of the Milk River Project to ensure that the Fresno Reservoir is operated in accordance with the agreement. The bill also outlines certain waivers, releases, and retention of claims under the settlement agreement.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3113
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019
May 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate
May 27, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Oct 6, 2021
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-138.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3113
    Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019


  • May 27, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 27, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • October 6, 2021
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-138.
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationDams and canalsDepartment of the InteriorEconomic developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHistorical and cultural resourcesHunting and fishingIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMissouri RiverMontanaOutdoor recreationState and local government operationsWater qualityWater resources fundingWatershedsWater storageWater use and supply